US researchers develop tongue operated wheel chair

Tongue Drive System, developed by researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology, could assist people with tetraplegia, a condition that causes complete paralysis from the neck down

Tongue Drive System, developed by researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology, could assist people with tetraplegia, a condition that causes complete paralysis from the neck down

Singapore: US researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a wireless, assistive device that lets paralyzed patients operate wheelchairs by simply moving their tongue in the desired direction.

The Tongue Drive System could offer people with tetraplegia, a condition that causes complete paralysis from the neck down, more independence, thus improving their quality of life.

The system consists of a small, magnetic titanium barbell that is attached to the tongue of the user by tongue piercing. A headset containing wireless sensors measures changes in the magnetic field when users flick their tongue, then sends the signals to a computer, which executes up to six commands based on the tongue position.

"It's really easy to understand what the Tongue Drive System can do and what it is good for," said Prof. Maysam Ghovanloo, associate professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a study co-author and principal investigator, said in a statement. "Now, we have solid proof that people with disabilities can potentially benefit from it."

The researchers reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine they tested the technology in 23 able-bodied participants and 11 participants with tetraplegia. All participants received custom-made titanium barbells piercings.